vericks

Yes, most of us can identify with the love and comfort of food. We have all been there, and probably will always struggle, however, for me the lapband has lessened that desire, especially with the amount. I am a slow loser but a consistent loser. I was unsure, scared, hesitant, desperate, and the feelings go on and on. However, I wanted to feel healthy and be able to get some kind of control over this weight issue. I had tried so many different things. The lapband has helped me personally to get a better perspective on my eating habits. Does the lapband take away my desires, control my weight gain, stop my bad habits, no…however the band gives me incentive to keep trying, to not feel like a constant failure, to limit my amount, to shrink to a weight that lessens my hunger, to improve my health, etc. Is the lapband a cure all, NO, but it's a tool. As for me it's been a successful tool. It's taken me almost two years to lose 75 pounds and I need to lose at least 40 more, but I see the possibility now, something I had totally given up on. So go into this as informed and realistically as possible. Find a good surgeon, mine was Dr. Enoch and he was great for me. We, who relate to you totally, wish you the best in your decision and your weight lost. Initially the band took a good month to feel truly feel good. The first week was a bit tough but manageable, each week after better and better. Prepare to lose slowly, but I feel that losing this way has been more long term in the end. So far continue to lose a pound at a time, sometime, 1/4 or 1/2 in a month, but it's better than continually gaining. Keep Smiling Vickie from Morrisville, NC

I can understand that getting tired of being tired. Since my lapband, I have found my energy level has defintily increased. I can walk a flight of stairs without feeling like I am going to stop breathing or have a hear attack. I admit my weight loss has been a slow process, about 70 to 75 pounds in two years. I am almost below the 200 pound on scale, would like to lose 40 more pounds once I hit that mark. Hope all goes well in your decision with the lap band, lapband was the right decision for me, but everyone has to come to that confirmation themselves. Good luck and welcome! Vickie

Sorry, it's been awhile, life seems to always be busy. It's been almost two years since my surgery and although weight lost has been slow, it remains consistent. I have lost about 70 to 75 pounds. I still want to lose about 40 more pounds but I focus on the day by day stuff and realize that I take on things better a day at a time. My health has greatly improved and my clothes size have dropped from a size 26 to a size 18 to 20 (I wear my clothes lose). I have been ever so happy with the lap band results, however I did get a downer today when I went to apply for new health insurance and they told me I would be put in a high risk tier (level) for my monthly payments, due to the lapband surgery. I don't understand this, does anyone else share this experience. First you get dinged for the obesity factor and now for the correction. I ask the agent why the high risk classification? He said that it's because the surgery is an unknown and they don't know what the longterm repercutions will be. Does this seem a fair factor in determining our insurance rates? When did we start rating on the factor of what might be an outcome. I explained that I have no complications from my lapband surgery, which by the way, would be corrective if I ever did. I also explained the improvement of my health with the surgery. He said there was nothing he could do, that's the decision of the insurance ratings board. So what do we do from here? It truly doesn't seem fair. I mean can insurance increase their rates if they just think you are a possible candidate of cancer or any other illness? I think not! So why us? I thought ratings should be based on facts, not perceptions or predictions? Anyone know of any fair insurance plans? Sorry just had to get this frustration out! Now, back to my weight success. I am a slow loser and being a senior might also have a bit of factor, older can be harder. I am increasing my exercise and that has seemed to help significantly, however I have picked of a couple of courses at school and it's taking it's toll on my time to committ to exercise. So there it is, I am alive, increasing in health and in attitude, and continue to say that lapband was the best decision for me personally. Hope all of you are being successful in your endeavors and God Bless! Oh hang in their slow losers, it can keep on happening!

What's NSV stand for?

I support the definitions and the nominee. As a slow loser, at just one more fill until my band is at it's quota, we need positive support and continual encouragement. From one turtle to another!

I had my surgery with Dr. Enochs, now going on a year. He was a wonderful surgeon and I enjoy his staff, especially since he has moved back to Cary. I've lost 55 pounds and hope to lose 70 to 80 more. Yes, its a slow process, however it is a process that continues to work a pound at a time. The scale is going in the right direction! Thanks for all the feedback on Dr. Enochs, for me it was the right decision. vickie

Great idea!:clap2: Vinesqueen has such a positive attitude. We all need encouragement and comradship. I am chanting the LBTSL mantra at this very moment. Everyone, we can do this and this is not a race! Thanks Vickie (the ultra slow loser) Banded July 2006 3.0 cc's total 34 pounds down and fluctuating up and down 2 pounds. Hoping for a progressive 2007/2008 year. 280/246

Wow, that's encouraging, it gets so frustrating when my scales continually go up and down with a pound or two, however as of yet I have lost at least a pound or two per check up (about month or month half apart). Thanks for the encouragement. How do you get committed to sticking to the right things to eat. Do I need to join a Weight Watchers type plan? vericks

Thanks so much for that wonderful encouragement. It helps to hear someone else say that slow is okay and maintaining is a strength. Like you, I Yo-Yo'd all the time, never maintaining. Hurrah for us banders and let's keep on keeping on!

Hi it's been awhile since I last posted but Kathy you are right, I am up to 3cc's and I have started losing more weight. I am at a 30 pound lost since my surgery back in May. It is coming off slowly but I seem to average about 2 pounds a month or so. I have just started a water aerobics class (yes I finally bit the bullet and purchased the most covering bathing suit I could find). I am enjoying the class and relating to my fellow classmates which all have similar weight issues as myself. This is helpful and the exercise doesn't cause the joint pain I usually feel from non water exercises. It's two days a week and I hope to increase that by four days eventually. So life goes on and I am staying optimistic! Hope the best of days for all of you. Still love the band!

I like my doctor, but he is in Cary, NC. I'm not sure how far Columbus is. His name is Dr. Enochs.

:mad: :fencing: Cathy, The weight is not going to melt off, and I doubt you will have any great results until after you begin the fills. This is tough on most of us who have made the wrong choices for so long when it comes to eating. I have been banded since July and have totaled about 30 pounds. Most of this was initially lost my first few weeks after surgery, because I just couldn't keep much down. Now I have been averaging about 1 to 2 pounds a month to a month and a half. I have had four fills and am at 2.2 cc's. I still battle with binges so I am trying to come up with an answer for that issue. I know that those who have gotten on a routine of exercise, even if just a couple of days, seem to record a better lost record. I am seeking to get some motivation in that area, even if it means hiring a personal trainer for a couple of weeks. I also find I am still a binge eater, however the band does limit the binge compared to the olden days. Never be ashamed at the efforts you are making to battle the bulge. You need to pat yourself on the back for making a courageous attempt at resolving an issue that is affecting you life daily. We are not people who want to give up! We are looking for a way, the band was your choice. If you are like me, you have probably tried many things, and the band was a major turn to lead me down a new path. I too feel discouraged, but I will not be defeated, even if I fail, I will get back up and just keep trying, It might take years, it might take a lifetime, but I am better off if I don't stop and continue to go on, even if I am a Turtle! Keep the Faith! Vickie

Megan, I hadn't realized that if I drank with meals it would allow me to eat more food. I find that many times if I drink right away while eating I will not be able to keep the liquid down and thus a trip to the bathroom. So are you saying never drink when you are eating, period!? vickie

:help: Okay, it seems that as I listen to the slow losers comments we need some suggestions as to how to eat better, how to increase our weight loss success, how to prevent discouragement, what amount of cc's seem to be successful for a slow loser(who has noticed a major difference at what cc amount), how would you know what is too much a fill (what kind of sensation occurs?), any advice to keep us believing that the surgery will pay off even if long term down the road (and by the way, what's considered long term.... a year, two years, etc.) Alright don't give me the standard each of us is different, we know that, but our common attribute is the need to lose weight. We need to hear some of these facts and realities of those who have fought the fight and are still suceeding. Please and thank you! Vickie :mad:

Good question! I am having the same struggle. I'm maintaining but not losing. I can't seem to find a motivating factor to get on a routine. What do you suggest when it comes to eating things. I still seem to eat too much of the wrong things. It amazes me that the food that is the most tempting, example ice cream, popcorn, sweets, seem to be the easiest too digest. How do we get our heads to think of some alternative foods with less calories?